KG planning to wait?

[TA9]

The Celtics would love to learn Kevin Garnett’s plans, hopes and desires as soon as possible, but according to sources close to the situation, the Hall of Famer-to-be might be waiting on the team.

By all indications, the Celts have made it clear they want Garnett to return for at least the 2012-13 season, and there is strong evidence from those involved that he is more than willing to discuss that possibility

In this regard, some close to the issue think it’s possible Garnett waits to see how the club plans to shape the roster. “Kevin’s very loyal, and he hates change,” one source said. “But I think it’d be hard for him to come back if it’s a total rebuild. If he’s going to play, he has to be playing for something. I think he’ll wait to see what’s going to happen. If Danny can give him a solid answer right away, then maybe he gives them an answer, too. But KG’s going to want to know who he’ll be playing with.”

The above source also noted that it might be difficult for Garnett to accept the Celtics bringing in a free agent who will make more money and be asked to do less. - Boston Herald

Danny needs to step up his game once again if he wants KG back..

[droopdog7]

Some interesting lines in there.  If true, they should settle things for some fans.  If he comes back, kg isn't playing for charity (nor should he be expected to).  He said it two ways.  One, pay him what is fair.  Two, don't pay a lesser player more than him.

Again, if true this means KG will want to get paid.  I am thinking at least 10 mil and maybe more.  And I don't mind this as long as it isn't for more than two years.

[TA9]

Some interesting lines in there.  If true, they should settle things for some fans.  If he comes back, kg isn't playing for charity (nor should he be expected to).  He said it two ways.  One, pay him what is fair.  Two, don't pay a lesser player more than him.

Again, if true this means KG will want to get paid.  I am thinking at least 10 mil and maybe more.  And I don't mind this as long as it isn't for more than two years.

Definitely!
I also think that its fair to bring KG back for something between 8-10 mil, he deserves it!

[RLewis35]

I think you give KG 2 years 18 mil.  10 mil this year, 8 mil next year.  Or just give him 1 year 11 mil, making nearly the same as Rondo.  That should do it for him.

[Who]

No surprises there.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

The key here is he has to have some help. we need a starting center who can play half the game keeping KG fresh,can rebound, score and play defense and that is IF we even keep KG at center. He may go back to PF. We also need a PF in Free Agency unless we can draft one who can come in and start right away. get a PF and a center and that helps our inside game by leaps and bounds and then add KG to the mix? wow. We have plenty guards. And I expect big thing from Moore next year. Green backing up Pierce should be good enough I would think. We may not have enough $$$ to get all the positions we need filled so young guys will have to step up. JJJ and Moore..plus whomever we draft especially a Pf capable of coming right in and playing behind KG of however we do things. 

maybe Bass or JJJ could come off the bench at the 4 spot? We really need a good bench this year also. Ainge has a ton of work to do.

[Bahku]

Yeah, KG never makes quick decisions ... except on the court.

I expected that he would be one of the last questions we'd get ironed out.

[Evantime34]

This is not good news. We need KG to make a decision quickly. Since he has the largest cap hold, signing him first at a number less than his hold would tell us how much we have to spend on free agents. If KG waits then we can't really go after a rotation FA because if we spend too much we can't re-sign KG.

The not wanting a total rebuild comment means he wants to see others brought in that could help the team, but if we sign those guys before KG then we might not be able to pay KG the full amount he wants.

As far as not wanting the Celtics to sign a player that makes more but does less? I don't see this being a problem. If Bass comes back we'll have about $20 MM to work with. I expect KG to  make $8-10 MM then the Celtics will use the rest 10-12 to sign Jeff Green and another free agent. In other words we don't have enough money to sign Green and a FA that will make more than KG.

[BballTim]

The Celtics would love to learn Kevin Garnett’s plans, hopes and desires as soon as possible, but according to sources close to the situation, the Hall of Famer-to-be might be waiting on the team.

By all indications, the Celts have made it clear they want Garnett to return for at least the 2012-13 season, and there is strong evidence from those involved that he is more than willing to discuss that possibility

In this regard, some close to the issue think it’s possible Garnett waits to see how the club plans to shape the roster. “Kevin’s very loyal, and he hates change,” one source said. “But I think it’d be hard for him to come back if it’s a total rebuild. If he’s going to play, he has to be playing for something. I think he’ll wait to see what’s going to happen. If Danny can give him a solid answer right away, then maybe he gives them an answer, too. But KG’s going to want to know who he’ll be playing with.”

The above source also noted that it might be difficult for Garnett to accept the Celtics bringing in a free agent who will make more money and be asked to do less. - Boston Herald

Danny needs to step up his game once again if he wants KG back..

  I think, almost by definition, if they bring him back it won't be a total (or partial) rebuild. It's not like Danny would sign KG if PP was retiring, it's not like he'd do something like trade PP and Rondo for picks/younger prospects and bring KG back.

[mctyson]

This is not good news. We need KG to make a decision quickly. Since he has the largest cap hold, signing him first at a number less than his hold would tell us how much we have to spend on free agents. If KG waits then we can't really go after a rotation FA because if we spend too much we can't re-sign KG.

The not wanting a total rebuild comment means he wants to see others brought in that could help the team, but if we sign those guys before KG then we might not be able to pay KG the full amount he wants.

As far as not wanting the Celtics to sign a player that makes more but does less? I don't see this being a problem. If Bass comes back we'll have about $20 MM to work with. I expect KG to  make $8-10 MM then the Celtics will use the rest 10-12 to sign Jeff Green and another free agent. In other words we don't have enough money to sign Green and a FA that will make more than KG.

Nothing is preventing us from attempting to bring back almost the entire 2011/2012 Celtics roster for next year.  We have Bird Rights on all our best players and can go over the cap to resign all of them.

But Ray Allen is going to explore FA, that is for sure.  He probably wants a multi-year deal so he doesn't become trade fodder in March. I think the C's would go to 2 years on Ray but only at a much reduced cost ($5M or less).  My guess is he get 2 years $16M from a contender in dire need of a shooter.

That might dramatically alter KG's decision making.  So I don't see how we do this "quickly."  Unless we are 100%  not bringing Ray back under any circumstances, which I doubt is the line of thinking right now.

[get_banners]

nothing shocking here. KG seems game for coming back, IF the team is still planning on contending. the only reason we bring KG back is if we're still a contender. If KG agrees to something like 2/20, and we bring back Green + some solid role-playing FA (or someone via trade) + a healthy PP and AB + good draft picks, we'll be in decent shape. 

[action781]

This is not good news. We need KG to make a decision quickly. Since he has the largest cap hold, signing him first at a number less than his hold would tell us how much we have to spend on free agents. If KG waits then we can't really go after a rotation FA because if we spend too much we can't re-sign KG.

The not wanting a total rebuild comment means he wants to see others brought in that could help the team, but if we sign those guys before KG then we might not be able to pay KG the full amount he wants.

As far as not wanting the Celtics to sign a player that makes more but does less? I don't see this being a problem. If Bass comes back we'll have about $20 MM to work with. I expect KG to  make $8-10 MM then the Celtics will use the rest 10-12 to sign Jeff Green and another free agent. In other words we don't have enough money to sign Green and a FA that will make more than KG.

Nothing is preventing us from attempting to bring back almost the entire 2011/2012 Celtics roster for next year.  We have Bird Rights on all our best players and can go over the cap to resign all of them.

The three things preventing us are:  Bass opting out, Ray leaving, Steimsma leaving.  I personally want to bring back the whole gang.  I'd love to see a roster of:

Rondo, Bradley, Pierce, Bass, KG, Dooling, Ray, Pietrus, Jeff Green, Steimsma, JJJ, Wilcox, 2 first round picks, 1 more player.

For the one more player, I could see that being any free agent, but also wouldn't mind it being Hollins, Daniels, or Moore to bring back the chemistry from last season.

I could also see Ray leaving which would leave us room for 1 more FA.

[snively]

The Celtics would love to learn Kevin Garnett’s plans, hopes and desires as soon as possible, but according to sources close to the situation, the Hall of Famer-to-be might be waiting on the team.

By all indications, the Celts have made it clear they want Garnett to return for at least the 2012-13 season, and there is strong evidence from those involved that he is more than willing to discuss that possibility

In this regard, some close to the issue think it’s possible Garnett waits to see how the club plans to shape the roster. “Kevin’s very loyal, and he hates change,” one source said. “But I think it’d be hard for him to come back if it’s a total rebuild. If he’s going to play, he has to be playing for something. I think he’ll wait to see what’s going to happen. If Danny can give him a solid answer right away, then maybe he gives them an answer, too. But KG’s going to want to know who he’ll be playing with.”

The above source also noted that it might be difficult for Garnett to accept the Celtics bringing in a free agent who will make more money and be asked to do less. - Boston Herald

Danny needs to step up his game once again if he wants KG back..

  I think, almost by definition, if they bring him back it won't be a total (or partial) rebuild. It's not like Danny would sign KG if PP was retiring, it's not like he'd do something like trade PP and Rondo for picks/younger prospects and bring KG back.

You never know with Ainge.  Remember how he courted Malone and I believe McDyess to join our rebuilding Celtic squads?

He's always been the type that likes to have his cake and eat it too. 

[KGs Knee]

Meh, more speculation and innuendo.  That is all this article is.

I wonder though, when people state that it will take at least 8-10 mil to get KG to come back, where is that figure coming from?  Sure, that might sound like a reasonable amount for a player of his abilities.  Not once though, have I read in any article or heard in any interview, a specific reference to pay mentioned by KG.  Not once.  Nobody knows what KG will be willing to accept.

The only thing we do know is, KG will only come back for a team with a chance at competing for a title.  How big a of a chance is subjective, and what his definition of that is, is hard to say though.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that if KG is what he says he is, he'll take the veteran minimum.  Sure, it's beneath him.  KG always talks about sacrifice and team.  Let's see if he is willing to put his money where his mouth is though.  Imagine the roster possibilites we could have if KG did come back for such a discount.

He surely doesn't need the money, he's made more money off NBA contracts than any player ever.

[ScoobyDoo]

Simple Solutions here.

1. KG, Pierce and Ray have "at least" one more good year in them
2. Make KG's and Ray's contracts mirror Pierce's
3. KG - $13 Mil this year with $7 Mil max payout in year two
4. Ray: $8 Mil this year with a $5 Mil max payout in year two

* Both will probably retire with Pierce after next season anyway
** If not, we'd have a combined $16 Mil tied up in them in their final season, which they would still be worth.